Wills Lawyers in Nashville, TN

Assisting Clients with the Elements of Estate Planning

As you age, you and your loved ones deserve the peace of mind of knowing how your assets will be distributed when you pass away. You can get this by making a last will that specifies which beneficiary will inherit each item in your estate.

If you’re unsure how to get started on the process of drafting a will, contact the experienced Nashville wills lawyers at Brighter Day℠ Law. Our legal team has successfully helped many clients plan their estate by setting up wills, trusts, and other legal documents, so call our Nashville, TN law office to start your estate plan.

What Can a Will Do for You?

You’re not legally required to make a will, but you are advised to do so if you want the advantages of this legal document. In particular, a last will and testament can:

• Make it clear which assets you want each beneficiary to inherit when you pass away
• Identify the organizations you wish to leave charitable gifts to upon your death
• Name a legal guardian for any children you have who are minors at the time of your death
• Designate an executor to guide your will through the probate process and ensure your wishes are carried out

If these benefits appeal to you, contact our Nashville, TN law firm for estate planning help. Our wills attorneys can sit down with you and ensure this document is clear and valid to reduce the chance of anyone attempting to dispute it in court. Contact us for a free consultation. 

What Happens If You Don’t Have a Will?

If you’re still unsure if you need a will, it may help to learn what happens if you pass away without one. This is referred to as dying intestate, which means that the Tennessee courts will be in charge of distributing your estate assets to your family and designating an executor.

In most cases, if you have a spouse and children, your assets will likely pass to them. But  this process can get complicated if you don’t have a spouse and children, because the court will start looking at your other relatives to determine who gets your assets and who should be the executor of the estate. 

They’ll likely start with your parents, siblings, grandparents, cousins, and other relatives, so if you don’t have a close relationship with a family member, dying intestate means estranged relatives could get an inheritance you never meant to leave them. This is why it’s recommended that you make a will for your Tennessee estate. 

What Are the Requirements of Wills in Nashville, TN?

Before you start making a will, you should know the requirements to ensure its validity. Tennessee requires anyone making a will to be at least 18 years old and of sound mind. With very few exceptions, wills in Tennessee generally cannot be in oral or digital format, so make sure your will is on paper.

Once you’re finished writing your will, you need to sign it in front of two witnesses. They must sign the document, as well. It’s best if your witnesses are not beneficiaries named in the will.

If you need to change or revoke your will, the process is simple. You can make minor changes by adding an amendment, called a codicil, that explains the changes. If you have significant changes to make, it may be easiest to revoke it and make a new one. 

To revoke an old will, you can destroy the document by tearing or burning it so no one can read it, and then you can make a new will that states it revokes the old one. Experienced wills lawyers in Nashville, TN can help with this. 

Are You Ready to Talk to Wills Lawyers in Nashville, TN

Planning for your future can give you peace of mind, which is why estate planning is so important. However, getting started on this process can feel overwhelming, so it’s best to get legal guidance from experienced lawyers who have assisted countless clients with preparing and filing legal documents. 

When you contact Brighter Day℠ Law, you’ll meet with friendly, helpful lawyers who would be happy to guide you through the steps of estate planning. We can start by creating a simple will for you, ensuring you understand the benefits of this document first. 

Our Nashville estate planning attorneys can also help you determine if other options, such as trusts, would be right for you. If you’re ready to plan for your future, call (615) 437-8808 to schedule a free initial consultation with a wills lawyer.